# Head-Neck Dual-energy CT Contrast Media Reduction Using Diffusion Models

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.13002 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.13002/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Medical imaging and segmentation, one of 14 directions in Diffusion models.
- Builds on 4 of its 33 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 24 Aug 2023.

## Placed in

- Diffusion models / [Medical imaging and segmentation](https://mlsanity.com/diffusion/medical-imaging-and-segmentation/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.11239/) (2020)
- [U-Net: Convolutional Networks for Biomedical Image Segmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1505.04597/) (2015)
- [High-Resolution Image Synthesis with Latent Diffusion Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2112.10752/) (2021)
- [Low Dose CT Image Denoising Using a Generative Adversarial Network with Wasserstein Distance and Perceptual Loss](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1708.00961/) (2017)

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [VasTSD: Learning 3D Vascular Tree-state Space Diffusion Model for Angiography Synthesis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.12758/) (2025)
- [Anatomy-preserving unpaired cone-beam CT refinement for image-guided radiotherapy using pseudo-label guided diffusion](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2610.06094/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Iodinated contrast media is essential for dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) angiography. Previous studies show that iodinated contrast media may cause side effects, and the interruption of the supply chain in 2022 led to a severe contrast media shortage in the US. Both factors justify the necessity of contrast media reduction in relevant clinical applications. In this study, we propose a diffusion model-based deep learning framework to address this challenge. First, we simulate different levels of low contrast dosage DECT scans from the standard normal contrast dosage DECT scans using material decomposition. Conditional denoising diffusion probabilistic models are then trained to enhance the contrast media and create contrast-enhanced images. Our results demonstrate that the proposed methods can generate high-quality contrast-enhanced results even for images obtained with as low as 12.5% of the normal contrast dosage. Furthermore, our method outperforms selected competing methods in a human reader study.